Learn how the very best companies lead through change, drive business results, and increase innovation through For All Leadership.
Kristen Bellstrom, Deputy Digital Director, Fortune and DJ Casto EVP & Chief Human Resources Leader Synchrony
Synchrony isn’t your average financial services company. The company has designed diversity into its DNA – from the boardroom to the call center. Combined with its start-up, agile approach, how employees work is critical to driving innovation at speed and scale.
As emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) transform every industry and profession, Synchrony helps employees deepen their skillset through an ethos of learning and technology training that enable higher-value work and responsible use of AI systems. The company also helps create a local pipeline of STEM talent through its public-private partnerships and real-world skills applications.
And it is driven at the top as it is infused throughout. DJ Castro will share insights into the company’s unique approach to innovation, and how its commitment to a diverse, skilled workforce unlocks the value of every person within the organization, living the Innovation By All model. DJ will offer her perspective on the need for businesses to infuse diversity of thought now and into the future to deliver long-term growth.
Since being spun off from its parent company in 2015, DJ has led Synchrony with a strong vision and has created a culture of inclusion driven by employees, advancing innovation at every level.
Key Takeaways:
• Develop an understanding of how inclusion, innovation, and responsibility in the AI era maximizes the human potential for all
• See how an organization’s diversity of thought and skills initiatives are integrated into its business success strategy.
• Hear practical advice for how leaders can create a truly authentic Innovation By All culture.
DHL Express, the global express logistics provider emerged 50 years ago as a startup with one innovative idea - providing door-to-door, time-sensitive delivery services to the world.
With over 100,000 employees across the globe, diversity is an essential part of the company’s DNA. Heading up the global HR organization, spanning 220 countries and territories, Regine Buettner has helped ensure the principle of acting “As One” has become instilled in the HR approach, ensuring a globally unique culture while making sure employees across the globe have their best day at work every day, no matter in which region and country.
John Pearson joined the company in 1986. He previously served as CEO in Asia Pacific, EEMEA and Europe, and led the global sales, marketing and customer service functions. He assumed the CEO role in January of this year.
Learn how DHL Express has created a strong culture of engagement and recognition, while offering a first-in-class development program for employees. Leadership at DHL Express leverages the positive impact of building a people-centric organization with the aspiration to be the World as its Best.
Join us for a conversation on how diversity and employee experience drive innovation at of one of the world’s largest companies.
Key takeaways:
- How innovation turned DHL from a local startup to a global upstart.
- Understand how to build a global culture of engagement in an extremely diversified company impacting the bottom-line.
- How digital HR transformation contributes to a more seamless and exciting employee experience.
- Learn how all employees can participate in and drive continuous improvement through DHL’s innovative Performance Dialogs.
- How DHL is enabling E-commerce all around the world and empowering its people to deliver its vision.
At Nationwide, a Fortune 66 financial services and insurance company, the mission is to protect what matters most by being “on your side.”
Through this conversation, Nationwide’s EVP and Chief Administrative Officer Gale King will shed light on how the company has transformed the brand from the inside out, starting with its people-first culture. She will share how the company’s leadership has had an impact on its award-winning culture, how its diversity and inclusion initiatives – in addition to driving financial strength – have created a source of pride for all associates, and how Nationwide continues to assess and identify innovative ways to build on associate engagement to drive the company’s success.
By sharing Nationwide’s journey, King will highlight the most important success factors to drive an inclusive culture spanning any industry or organization and inspire all that a company can achieve by doing it right.
Key takeaways:
- The importance of leadership in driving a positive workplace culture.
- The value of diversity and inclusion in driving both engagement and innovation.
- Ways to engage leadership to inspire associates to create new opportunities to innovate and improve to exceed business goals.
Fran Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People Officer
Mark Chandler, EVP Chief Legal Officer
Irving Tan, SVP, Chief of Operations
Amy Chang, SVP, Collaboration Technology Group
Did you know that Cisco Systems has been on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies since it was first published in 1998? We will learn from Fran Katsoudas, Mark Chandler, Irving Tan, and Amy Chang how Cisco continues to evolve and adapt in a time the industry is experiencing rapid change and transformation.
Cisco’s has a unique perspective on conscious culture – the importance of everyone being aware of the environment they’re part of, feeling accountable, and empowered. A culture that is focused on full spectrum diversity and inclusion where every employee feels connected to the company. Cisco executives will offer insights into what is driving the culture and the latest innovation in one of the tech industry’s best workplaces.
Key takeaways:
- How to remain relevant and important in attracting the best talent
- Ways to improve diversity in an industry that famously struggles with finding the perfect candidate who might have new and innovative approaches to the business
- Structures for allowing all employees to participate in the innovation process
Professional services organizations have a bird’s eye view into how the broader marketplace is addressing the persistent need for innovation. Lynne Doughtie will discuss the challenges that large organizations face and how focusing on building a culture that fosters innovation can create a strategic advantage.
Elected to the position of Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP in 2015, Doughtie leads more than 31,000 partners and professionals in the United States who provide tax, audit and advisory services to many of the world’s most iconic companies. She personally drives KPMG’s inclusive and purpose-driven culture, and has made innovation one of the firm’s key business priorities.
Key takeaways:
- Learn why the right culture is critical to innovation.
- Understand how to inspire and integrate innovation into your business priorities, and measure it appropriately.
- Hear what business leaders say are critical challenges to innovation and how they can be met.
